Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Internet Security gets top scores from the antivirus testing labs. It comes with everything you'd expect in a suite, along with plenty of extras, and its components are consistently effective.

By PCMag Australia PCMag Australia

18 Aug 2018, 11:16 a.m.

Kaspersky Internet Security gets top scores from the antivirus testing labs. It comes with everything you'd expect in a suite, along with plenty of extras, and its components are consistently effective.

Main Window

The main window for Kaspersky Internet Security features a large status panel at top, six button panels for important features, and a More Tools button that brings up a lengthy list of additional security features.

Safe Money

When you visit a financial website, Kaspersky offers to open
it in the secured Safe Money browser. A green border around the window and a
transparent overlay notification let you know that Safe Money is active.

Content Filter

The parental control system lets parents block access to
websites matching any of 14 content categories. In testing, it successfully
handles secure HTTPS sites, so a child could not evade it by using a secure
anonymizing proxy.

Heuristic Analysis

Kaspersky doesn't just block all domains wholesale; rather
it can apply heuristic analysis to only block pages with problematic content.
Here it has blocked an erotic short story, while allowing access to less racy
content.

Computer Time Control

Parents can block computer access during bedtime, or use a weekly
grid to define when access is permitted. They can also set a daily cap on
computer use, and require the kids to take periodic breaks from screen time.

Privacy Settings

The webcam protection feature notifies you when an unknown
program tries to peek through the webcam, and private browsing watchers for
online ad trackers and other trackers.

Trackers Blocked

By default, browser protection just gathers stats on
trackers, but you can set it to actively block them. It detected 43 distinct
tracking attempts on this one page.

Software Updater

Kaspersky's software updater periodically checks for updates
to Windows and known applications. When possible, it defaults to installing
found updates automatically, without your intervention.

Exploit Blocked

In testing, Kaspersky blocked most of the exploit attacks we
tested on it. Here it has identified the exploit using its official CVE number.

Manage Applications

Rather than bother the user with popups, the firewall
consults the Kaspersky Security Network to set a trust level for each
application.

Trusted Applications Mode

For Trusted Application Mode, Kaspersky first performs a
lengthy scan to identify every executable file and check its trust level. You
need to check its list after the scan, to make sure it doesn't accidentally
block valid programs. When only trusted programs can run, malware doesn't have
a chance.

PC Cleaner

The PC Cleaner runs in the background, checking for programs
that you rarely use. If you agree with it's findings, you can let it remove the
deadwood.

Kaspersky for Mac

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac doesn't have quite the
cornucopia of features found in the Windows edition, but it's much more than a
simple antivirus.

Kaspersky for Android

You can control Kaspersky Internet Security for Android
using icons (left) or the new left-rail menu (center). It offers antivirus,
anti-theft, app security (right), and more.

Android Anti Theft

From the My Kaspersky portal, you can lock or wipe a lost or
stolen device, take a mugshot of the thief, or sound a loud alarm to find a
phone you've simply misplaced.